Practice of Prayer Part 2 - Talking with God - Nov 9th 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Persistent Prayer and the Heart of the Father

Jesus teaches us to approach God with shameless persistence, assuring us that our Father is not grumpy or reluctant but eager to hear our repeated requests. Unlike earthly parents who may tire of constant asking, God welcomes our continual prayers, inviting us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. This posture of persistence is rooted in a relationship with a perfect Father who delights in giving good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit, to those who ask. As we pray, we are reminded that God’s generosity far surpasses even the best intentions of human parents, and we are encouraged to come boldly and expectantly before Him, trusting in His goodness and readiness to respond. [04:36]

Luke 11:5-13 (NLT)
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Reflection: What is one request you have stopped bringing to God because you felt it was too much or too repetitive? Will you bring it to Him again today, trusting in His loving heart for you?

Day 2: Gratitude as the Foundation of Prayer

Gratitude is not just the starting point of prayer but its very heart and soul, shaping our relationship with God and our perspective on life. When we approach God with thankfulness, we acknowledge that all we have is a gift, not a right, and we resist the temptation to demand what we think we deserve. Even in hardship, spiritual maturity is revealed when we can declare that God is good and remain thankful, just as persecuted believers do around the world. This posture of gratitude aligns us with the generosity at the core of God’s own being and overflows into every aspect of our lives, sustaining us through every circumstance. [11:30]

Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to be thankful right now? Take a moment to name it before God and intentionally thank Him for His presence and gifts, even in that place.

Day 3: Lament—Bringing Our Whole Selves to God

Lament is an essential and often neglected part of prayer, where we bring our pain, anger, grief, and questions honestly before God rather than hiding or performing. God invites us to bring all of ourselves to Him, knowing that He already sees and understands every part of our hearts. The Psalms and the book of Lamentations show us that lament is not only allowed but necessary, as it aligns our groans with God’s own longing for justice and redemption. When we lament, God meets us in our vulnerability, transforms our complaints into faith, and often stirs us to action, reminding us that He is present, trustworthy, and at work even in our struggles. [17:04]

Psalm 139:1-4 (NLT)
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

Reflection: What pain, frustration, or question have you been holding back from God? Will you take time today to honestly lament before Him, trusting that He welcomes your whole heart?

Day 4: Petition and Intercession—Asking in Jesus’ Name

Petition and intercession are acts of love and dependence, where we boldly bring our needs and the needs of others before God, trusting Him to act according to His will. Jesus invites us to ask, not as beggars but as beloved children and co-heirs, coming in His name and authority. Praying in Jesus’ name is not a magic formula but a way of aligning our requests with His character and purposes, standing on His promises for justice, healing, and peace. As we intercede, our focus shifts from ourselves to others, and we participate in God’s work of transformation, both in the world and in our own hearts. [28:55]

1 John 5:14 (NLT)
And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

Reflection: Who is one person or situation you can intercede for today, bringing their need before God in the name of Jesus and trusting Him to work according to His will?

Day 5: Letting Prayer Change Us—Becoming the Answer

Prayer is not only a way to ask God to act in the world but also an invitation for God to form and change us, sometimes making us the answer to our own prayers. As we pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done, we open ourselves to His transforming work, allowing Him to shape us into people who embody justice, healing, and compassion. This journey of prayer moves us from ritual to relationship, from going through the motions to being caught up in God’s presence and purpose. When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we invite God to start with us, making us agents of His love and change in the world. [32:47]

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Reflection: As you pray today, ask God to show you one way He wants to change you or use you as part of the answer to your prayers for His kingdom to come.

Sermon Summary

This morning, we continued our journey into the practice of prayer, focusing on moving from simply talking to God to truly talking with God. Drawing from Luke 11:5-13, we explored how Jesus teaches us to approach God not as a distant or grumpy figure, but as a perfect Father who welcomes our repeated requests. The story of the persistent friend and the loving father in this passage reminds us that God desires relationship and is eager to hear from us, even when we come again and again with our needs.

We reflected on the importance of positioning ourselves rightly in prayer—seeing God as our perfect Father, close by and intimately involved in our lives. This relationship shapes the way we pray, ensuring that our requests are rooted in God’s will and kingdom, not just our own desires. Before we bring our petitions, we are invited to engage in three types of prayer: gratitude, lament, and petition/intercession.

Gratitude is foundational. We begin by acknowledging the gifts and grace we have already received, recognizing that life itself is a gift, not a right. This posture of thankfulness is not just a starting point but the heart of our relationship with God. Even in hardship, spiritual maturity is seen in those who can declare God’s goodness and remain grateful, regardless of their circumstances.

Lament is equally vital. God invites us to bring our pain, anger, and questions to Him honestly. The Psalms are filled with raw expressions of lament, showing us that God can handle our deepest struggles. When we bring our complaints and grief to God, rather than venting elsewhere, He meets us, transforms our perspective, and often stirs us to action. Lament aligns our hearts with God’s longing for justice and redemption.

Finally, we come to petition and intercession—asking God to act on our behalf and on behalf of others. Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, assuring us that our Father delights to give good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit. Intercession is a powerful act of love, carrying others’ burdens into God’s presence. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we align ourselves with His character and will, standing in the authority and relationship He has given us. Prayer is not just about changing the world around us, but also about allowing God to change us, shaping us to embody His kingdom in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude is the heart of spiritual maturity True spiritual depth is revealed not in knowledge or religious activity, but in the ability to remain thankful even in hardship. Gratitude shifts our focus from entitlement to the recognition of God’s generosity, sustaining us through every season. It is the foundation of a vibrant relationship with God, shaping our prayers and our lives. [10:08]
2. Lament brings transformation and alignment Honest lament is not weakness or lack of faith, but a courageous act of bringing our whole selves to God. When we express our pain, anger, and questions to Him, He meets us in our vulnerability, transforms our perspective, and often calls us to participate in His work of justice and redemption. Lament is a pathway to deeper trust and spiritual growth. [16:37]
3. Petition and intercession are acts of dependence and love Asking God for our needs and interceding for others is not a sign of spiritual immaturity, but a declaration of our dependence on Him. Intercession, in particular, draws us out of self-focus and into empathy, carrying others’ burdens to God. In this, we participate in Christ’s own ministry of intercession and experience healing and transformation ourselves. [23:39]
4. Praying in Jesus’ name aligns us with His will To pray in Jesus’ name is not a formula, but a way of aligning our desires and requests with His character and purposes. It is a reminder that we approach God as beloved children, not beggars, and that our prayers are most powerful when they reflect the heart and mission of Christ. [26:33]
5. Prayer changes us as much as our circumstances While we often pray for God to act in the world, prayer is also the means by which God shapes us. As we bring our gratitude, lament, and petitions, God forms us to be agents of His kingdom—people who embody justice, healing, and love in tangible ways. [32:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction to Practicing the Way
[00:42] - Recap: Talking to God
[01:01] - The Parable of the Persistent Friend
[02:04] - God as Our Perfect Father
[03:33] - Jesus’ Invitation: Keep Asking
[04:22] - The Father’s Good Gifts
[05:16] - Moving from Recited to Relational Prayer
[06:16] - Positioning Ourselves in God’s Will
[07:09] - Three Types of Prayer
[07:34] - The Practice of Gratitude
[09:59] - Gratitude in Hardship and Maturity
[13:41] - The Power of Lament
[17:04] - Lament as Honest Conversation
[20:05] - Lament Leading to Action and Faith
[21:22] - Petition and Intercession Explained
[23:39] - The Power of Intercession
[25:24] - Worry vs. Prayer
[26:33] - Praying in Jesus’ Name
[29:25] - Praying for God’s Intended Reality
[30:28] - Standing in the Gap
[32:10] - Prayer Changes Us
[34:06] - Avoiding Empty Ritual in Prayer
[35:09] - Response and Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Talking With God – Gratitude, Lament, and Petition**

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### Bible Reading

**Luke 11:5-13 (ESV)**
5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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### Observation Questions

In the parable Jesus tells, what is the reason the friend finally gets up to help, and how does this relate to how we approach God in prayer? (Luke 11:8)
According to Jesus, what is the result of asking, seeking, and knocking? (Luke 11:9-10)
How does Jesus compare earthly fathers to our heavenly Father in verses 11-13? What is the main point he is making about God’s character?
The sermon describes three types of prayer: gratitude, lament, and petition/intercession. What are the differences between these, and why might each be important? [[07:09]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus encourages us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, rather than just asking once? What does this say about God’s desire for relationship with us? [[03:33]]
The sermon says that gratitude is “the heart and soul of our entire relationship with God.” Why might gratitude be so foundational, even in hard times? [[10:08]]
Lament is described as bringing our pain, anger, and questions honestly to God. How might this practice actually deepen our faith, rather than weaken it? [[16:37]]
What does it mean to pray “in Jesus’ name,” and how does this change the way we bring our requests to God? [[26:33]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon says that true spiritual maturity is seen in people who remain thankful even in hardship. Can you think of a time when it was hard to be grateful? What helped you (or could help you) to practice gratitude in that season? [[10:08]]
When was the last time you brought a lament—a complaint, grief, or frustration—directly to God instead of venting to others? What happened as a result? [[17:04]]
The pastor shared that sometimes, when we lament to God, He stirs us to action or changes our perspective. Is there something you are currently lamenting that God might be inviting you to act on or see differently? [[20:05]]
Intercession is described as “carrying one another’s pain into God’s healing light.” Who is someone in your life right now that you could be praying for regularly? How might you make intercession a more regular part of your prayer life? [[23:39]]
The sermon says that praying in Jesus’ name is not a magic formula, but about aligning our prayers with His character and will. Are there any requests you’ve been making that you sense need to be more aligned with Jesus’ heart? How could you discern this? [[26:33]]
The pastor mentioned that prayer is not just about changing our circumstances, but about God changing us. Is there an area of your life where you sense God wants to shape you as you pray? What might that look like? [[32:10]]
Sometimes we can fall into “going through the motions” in prayer. What is one practical step you could take this week to make your prayer time more relational and less routine? [[34:06]]

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**Close in prayer, inviting God to help you grow in gratitude, honesty, and love as you talk with Him this week.**

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Practice of Prayer Part 2 - Talking with God - Nov 9th 2025 - Gareth Brown